TV program exposes scamming livestreaming hosts
Livestreaming hosts offering steep discounts for products have emerged as a new format to connect shoppers and online retailers in recent years.
But some have been exposed as unscrupulous scammers selling "nutritional supplements" to elderly customers.
According to a latest undercover report during China Central Television's consumer rights protection gala on Wednesday night, some of these livestreamers who pretend to help solve domestic disputes were actually found selling fake drugs.
Some livestreaming hosts went into elaborate efforts to stage fictitious plots and lead viewers to believe nutritional supplements can treat diseases.
Viewers were led to think that the "nutritional supplements," which were just normal candies and beverages, are able to treat diseases through the livestreamers' make-believe fictitious plots.
One of the trading companies called Li Ge Supply Chain Co in eastern Shandong Province was uncovered as a supplier of such fake drugs.
In one case, a staffer at the trading company which helps connect food producers with online promoters, revealed that livestreaming hosts were given an 80-yuan (US$11.60) commission for each order which cost 99 yuan for 10 packs of nutritional food.
According to business data and enterprise information provider Tianyancha, more than 880,000 registered enterprises are carrying out livestreaming-related business in China. About 0.6 percent of them have been involved in legal disputes.
One of the suppliers that provide fake nutritional supplements for online promoters.
